Fiji: Project Pipeline development and risk consultant for Fiji Development Bank

Scope of Work

GGGI is looking for a consultant who applies his/her specialized knowledge of project concept and project pipeline development, project risk assessment and risk management for investing into climate change adaptation and mitigation projects and who has the ability to understand and apply GCF templates and procedures and assess capacity gaps and deliver training to Fiji Development Bank staff and support the delivery of the Fiji Readiness Project “Enhancing Direct Access to Climate Finance in Fiji”.   

He/she reports to the Manager Marketing & Business Development of the FDB and will liaise with and work closely with the Green Banking Unit of the Bank as well as other relevant Divisions of the Bank,  GGGI Country Representative in Fiji and other GGGI staff and consultants involved in different parts of this Readiness project and on other related projects, as well as the NDA/CCD where necessary.

at all times for efficient, timely and well-coordinated implementation of the project.

The consultant will be responsible for the following activities and outputs: 

1. Development of a second Entity Work programme (EWP) for FDB, building on the first EWP submitted in Q2 2019.

 The consultant will make the second EWP more comprehensive, detailed and aligned with the Country Programme being developed in 2020 by the NDA.

This would include identifying together with FDB and prioritizing a compilation of project ideas - at least ten (10) - that can be generated in future into concept notes with conformity to and drawing upon the NDC, the Fiji NDC Implementation Roadmap, the Fiji National Adaptation Plan, the Fiji Low Emission Development Strategy and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2017-2036. The projects should also be aligned to the GCF Country programme which will be under development. The projects may also be drawn from investment pipelines for transport and energy efficiency currently being developed by the CCICD and consultations with FDB and other stakeholders. These projects would create the basis for the new GCF Entity Work Programme for FDB.

The project compilation /EWP development will have a clearly delineated selection criteria including but not limited to: (a) conformity to national aspirations like NDP (b) GCF investment areas; (c) availability of co-funding; (d) involvement of private sector; (e) appropriateness to available GCF windows/cost ranges, etc.

1. Support the operationalisation of the EWP, through the development of processes and templates for projects

The consultant will develop processes and templates for GCF / climate change projects for FDB. The consultant will discuss with FDB and assess the needs and draw up a workplan for developing the processes and templates, including a training plan.

The work will include developing a toolkit in applying both GCF and FDB policies and processes in applying for GCF finance, also integrating guidance on the NOL process and interaction with the NDA as needed.

The consultant will also prepare a process/decision matrix in developing and assessing project proposals for submission to the GCF, including an FDB Environmental Category “C” identification process and template for FDB to use.

This work will also include developing a financial risk assessment and mitigation process for GCF/climate change projects. Including checklists for the assessments and templates for risk management plans.

The consultant will provide training to the appropriate FDB staff on the procedures, templates and checklists developed as part of this work. This would include at least two specific training sessions, as well as on-the-job training and responding to queries.

1. Preparation of at least two concept notes

Building on the ten (10) project ideas identified above and the new Entity work program the consultant will develop at least two draft GCF project concept notes. These should align to the NDC, the Fiji NDC Implementation Roadmap, the Fiji National Adaptation Plan, the Fiji Low Emission Development Strategy and the National Development Plan 2017-2036 as appropriate. The projects should also be aligned to the GCF Country programme which will be under development by the NDA in 2020.

The selection and development of the concept notes will be discussed in detail with FDB and GGGI and with the NDA and other appropriate government entities and other stakeholders where needed. The selection of ideas to develop into concept notes will also be based on a set of clear selection criteria similar to those used for the initial project identification but with more detail provided in justifying the selection. The criteria would include but are not limited to: (a) conformity to national aspirations and commitments (NDP, NDC, etc.), (b) GCF investment areas; (c) availability of co-funding / potential partnerships beneficial to the project; (d) involvement of private sector; (e) appropriateness to available GCF windows/cost ranges, (f) prioritisation is existing plans (NDC Roadmap, EE and transport investment plan of CCICD, Low Emissions Development Strategy, etc.). The draft concept notes should be prepared for submission to GCF for initial review and comments.

All the above activities will be undertaken in close consultation with FDB and GGGI at all times.

The deliverables for these activities will be:

1. Develop a toolkit in applying both GCF and FDB policies and processes in applying for GCF finance.
2. Prepare a process/decision matrix in developing and assessing project proposals for submission to the GCF, including an FDB Category ‘C’ identification process and template for use by FDB
3. Develop financial risk mitigation processes for projects
4. Identify and prioritize 10 project ideas
5. Develop the second EWP
6. Prepare at least 2 draft concept notes
7. Provide inputs to a report that details best practices when preparing concept notes (which is being prepared by a different GGGI consultant under the same Readiness project)
8. Develop a training plan and deliver at least three training/capacity building sessions for FDB staff on the toolkit, procedures, templates and checklists developed, including presentations, notes and participant evaluations (standard evaluation template example will be provided by GGGI)

In addition, the consultant will:

1. prepare a brief quarterly report regarding all activities’ and deliverables progress against a workplan and
2. support the preparation of the interim and final reports to the GCF.

The consultant should ensure complementarity of all activities with the ongoing work of the NDA (CCICD) – particularly the Country Programme being developed and actively take the initiative to coordinate between FDB, the NDA, GGGI and other consultants hired under this Readiness project.

Any costs for domestic travel, meetings and workshop venues and catering will be covered separately from this contract.

The consultant will be based in Suva for large parts of the assignment and work as an embedded expert in the FDB. The consultant will report to the Manager Marketing & Business Development of the FDB and will liaise with and work closely with the Green Banking Unit of the Bank as well as other relevant Divisions of the Bank,  GGGI Country Representative in Fiji and other GGGI staff and consultants involved in different parts of this Readiness project and on other related projects, as well as the NDA/CCD where necessary.

The Consultant will organize regular bi-weekly meetings with GGGI and FDB to review progress against activities, discuss and plan immediate next steps, pose questions which may arise and receive feedback and guidance. Where appropriate the NDA/CCICD staff will also be invited to attend meetings. Brief notes from these meetings will be prepared and circulated so actions agreed can be followed-up. These meetings may sometimes be every 3 weeks or monthly depending on other activities and availability of GGGI and FDB staff.

Output/Reporting Requirements/Deliverables

Qualifications/Experience/Expertise

• Masters Degree in Finance, Economics, Business, International Development, Climate Change or an area related to the relevant Fiji NDC/LEDS sectors (energy, transport, agriculture, forestry, etc.);
• Minimum 8 years of total experience in relevant areas with significant applied experience in at least one of the main Fiji NDC/ LEDS sectors (energy, transport, forestry, etc);
• Demonstrated know-how in project identification and risk assessment, developing investment plans and/or business case development, financial and/or economic analysis for projects (such as cost-benefit analysis or least cost analysis);
• Strong understanding of global landscape of climate change policy and finance, including a deep understanding of the Green Climate Fund mandate, functions and requirements for uses of funding, and the preparation of GCF Funding Proposals;
• Experience in day-to-day engagement with Government ministries and agencies and private sector in particular with national development banks;
• Demonstrated ability to build and strengthen partnerships, and be responsive to employer needs;
• Experience in providing training in project development and climate finance would be an advantage;
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communications skills in English are essential as well as excellent team building and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated ability to identify issues and negotiate successful outcomes;
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural and/or cross-sector teams.
• Experience coordinating working groups and following-up on actions
• Knowledge of environmental and social safeguards would be an advantage
• Commitment to gender equality and awareness of gender aspects of sustainable development

Additional Information

• Contract type: Deliverable-based
• Contract duration: August 2020 - September 2021
• Contract value: up to USD 100,000 (plus local travel expenses where necessary)

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.